Some may wonder why we have so many rules that govern our tournaments. The answer is pretty simple. Our rules are designed to protect anglers, protect the integrity of our competition, and to protect the fish we catch. The rules are strict, but they are fair.
One benefit of our rules is demonstrated by our extraordinarily low fish mortality rate. As of this writing, we have completed 4 tournaments in the 2018 season. 380 fish have been brought to our weigh-ins. I am pleased to report that, 378 of those fish were released alive and well, and only 2 fish died while in the possession. That is a mortality rate of .00526 (approximately 1/2 of 1 percent.)
One important feature of our rules is the reliance on our members in the policing of these rules. A rules infraction, that is witnessed by a member, must be reported within 30 minutes after completion of a tournament weigh-in, after which the board has procedures to deal with appropriate penalties, if any penalties are to be assessed.